Cleaning device for a drive chain

Abstract

Cleaning device (1, 40) for a drive chain, in particular a bicycle chain (20, 58), comprising at least one housing (2, 41) with at least one cleaning brush (54, 55), wherein the at least one cleaning brush (54, 55) is coupled to a chain wheel (30, 50) which can be driven by a moving drive chain, wherein the chain gear (30) is coupled to another gear (31) on a shaft, wherein at least one cleaning brush (54, 55) is designed as a gear (51, 52) with a spur gear toothing, and wherein the chain sprocket (30, 50) has a double toothing, once for the bicycle chain (20, 58) and once for at least one coupled sprocket (32, 33, 51, 52).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning device for a drive chain, in particular a bicycle chain, comprising at least one housing with at least one cleaning brush.

[0002] Cleaning devices for drive chains are always required when the drive chain is very dirty. With a bicycle chain in particular, there is a risk that the exposed bicycle chain will be damaged during intensive use. This can be, for example, dirt that can stick to the bicycle chain in rainy weather. This dirt is distributed across the various gears, causing existing gear shifts to become stiff or causing increased wear on the bicycle chain. Bicycle chains consist of a large number of moving parts and therefore offer many opportunities for dirt to build up. Riding with a dirty chain requires more pedaling force, and coarse-grained dirt can also cause premature wear on the relatively expensive gear assemblies and chainrings.If a bicycle repair becomes necessary, for example, when removing the rear wheel, the dirt and grease residue that clings to it will spread to other bicycle components. Furthermore, repairing a bicycle is not only difficult but also involves a multitude of contaminants, including your hands. In addition to dirt, metal parts or metal debris can also stick to a bicycle chain, because bicycle chains are usually coated with a film of grease.

[0003] To prevent premature wear, regular chain maintenance is therefore of utmost importance for every cyclist. Bicycle chain care includes cleaning, degreasing, and regularly applying a suitable lubricant. Degreasing removes the old lubricant and any accumulation of dirt, grit, and any metal shavings. If such cleaning is not performed and additional lubricants are applied to a dirty chain, dirt and grit will only be forced further into the chain components, accelerating wear.

[0004] Because a bicycle chain consists of a large number of individual links, it is important to ensure that the side areas of the chain links and between the individual chain links are cleaned thoroughly.

[0005] Wear regularly occurs on the inside of the chain link at the interface between a pin and an existing bushing, which is intended to ensure the mobility of the bicycle chain. Therefore, for example, manually applying degreaser to the outside and wiping the outside with a cloth is not effective because this cleaning method forces the dirt into the pins and bushings, as well as into the cracks and crevices of the bicycle chain, causing the dirt particles to stick and thus premature wear of the bicycle chain. Bicycle chains, especially on e-bikes, are subject to very high levels of stress because of the high power transmission required by the electric motor, making the bicycle chain very important on an e-bike.Furthermore, the bicycle chain grease used can be extremely stubborn, making manual cleaning a particularly messy job, potentially resulting in environmental contamination, especially of the soil. Furthermore, manually cleaning the chain is a considerable time-consuming process because, in most cases, the chain is removed and cleaned separately. Removing the bicycle chain and then reinstalling it is a significant time-consuming process. Furthermore, not every cyclist is capable of reinstalling the rear wheel, for example, in a way that ensures the reliable function and longevity of the existing components.

[0006] After cleaning the bicycle chain, it is necessary to relubricate it to reduce friction and thus wear. In this case, the parts that need to be lubricated are the interface between the pin and the bushings.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a cleaning device which enables reliable cleaning of a bicycle chain and also avoids contamination of the surrounding area, in particular the floor area.

[0008] According to the invention, to achieve this objective, the at least one cleaning brush is coupled to a sprocket that can be driven by a moving drive chain. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the subclaims.

[0009] The particular advantage of this cleaning device is that it uses a chain sprocket that is driven by the moving drive chain. This can be achieved, for example, by placing the cleaning device on the bicycle chain and moving the bicycle chain. For this purpose, the rear wheel can be lifted or the bicycle can be hung up, allowing the bicycle chain to rotate freely without the tires touching the ground. After the bicycle chain has passed through the cleaning device several times, the bicycle chain is clean of dirt. In some cases, degreasers or cleaning agents can also be used to remove any residue from a previous greasing process before the chain is re-greased.For this purpose, the chain sprocket is coupled to a cleaning brush, so that when the chain sprocket moves, the cleaning brush also rotates. The at least one cleaning brush glides along the bicycle chain in a rotating motion to ensure optimal cleaning. The bristles of such a cleaning brush can reach not only the sides of the bicycle chain, but also the middle section, meaning the bristles penetrate between the individual segments of a link chain and can remove all adhering dirt. For particularly stubborn dirt, the bicycle chain must be passed through the cleaning device several times to ensure that all adhering dirt particles are removed.The coupling between the chain sprocket and the cleaning brush offers the unique advantage of eliminating the need for an external drive to move the bicycle chain. After lifting the rear wheel or hanging up the bike, simply manually moving a pedal is sufficient, allowing the bicycle chain to be pulled through the cleaning device several times. This causes the chain sprocket to rotate, transferring this rotation to the cleaning brush, allowing the brush's bristles to reach every surface of the bicycle chain.

[0010] Assuming at least one cleaning brush, it is possible to drive several cleaning brushes through the chain sprocket, all of which are coupled to the chain sprocket, so that both lateral cleaning and cleaning between the individual chain links can take place.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the sprocket is coupled to at least one further gear, which is provided for driving at least one cleaning brush. In a first embodiment, it is sufficient if the sprocket is coupled to at least one further gear, preferably also to several further gears that are used to drive the cleaning brush. Furthermore, it is possible for the at least one gear to be coupled to further gears, which are also provided for driving at least one further cleaning brush, so that a multi-stage cleaning process can be carried out using the cleaning brushes.

[0012] Alternatively, it is possible for the sprocket and the at least one cleaning brush, or possibly several cleaning brushes, to be arranged on a single shaft, thereby directly driving the cleaning brushes. Additionally, it is possible for the driven gears and cleaning brushes to be arranged on a common shaft, so that not only the gears but also the cleaning brushes are driven simultaneously via the sprocket.

[0013] In order to achieve a flat-design cleaning device, which may also have cleaning brushes in a multi-stage arrangement, the cleaning brushes may be designed as a gear with spur gear teeth, wherein the spur gear teeth mesh with a toothing of the chain gear.

[0014] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sprocket has double teeth, once for the drive chain and once for at least one coupled gear, or that the sprocket and at least one gear are arranged on a common shaft. If the shaft carries not only the sprocket but also a gear, spur gear teeth are preferably used to transmit the force generated by the bicycle chain via the sprocket to further gears. Alternatively, there is again the possibility of the sprocket and at least one further gear being arranged on a common shaft. In this case, all gears are preferably provided with spur gear teeth to enable a flat unit for the cleaning device.The cleaning device is accommodated in a housing in which the individual gears and the chain gear are rotatably mounted and have a fixed relationship to one another, whereby a direct coupling with another gear is possible via the chain gear, but also an additional indirect coupling from one gear to the next gear.

[0015] The bicycle chain must be fed through the housing for cleaning. For this reason, the housing is equipped with an inlet and outlet opening through which the bicycle chain enters the housing. To enable the housing to be placed onto the bicycle chain, it preferably has a horizontal dividing line so that two housing halves are created. The dividing line also runs through the inlet and outlet opening so that one lower half of the housing can be placed on the bicycle chain and the second upper half of the housing is placed on the first housing part, thus positioning the bicycle chain between the two housing halves. The cleaning process only starts when the two housing halves are connected to one another. To ensure that the two housing halves are held securely, the housing is also provided with a clamp to connect the two housing halves.Such a clamping bracket can be pivotably attached to the side of the housing and is rotatably mounted on one housing half, while the clamping bracket with a curved free end clamps the second housing half and thus ensures sufficient tension so that the two housing halves are held together.

[0016] To facilitate handling of the cleaning device, it is further provided that a handle is used, and the housing has a recess for an insertable handle. In the simplest case, the handle can have a one-piece, for example rectangular, end face that engages a sized recess in the two housing halves, so that the handle can be used to manually hold the housing in a fixed position relative to the bicycle chain.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, the housing has an opening for supplying a cleaning agent and / or a lubricant. Such an opening is advantageously located in the upper edge area of ​​the housing, so that after an initial rough cleaning, for example, the cleaning agent can be added, specifically a limited amount, which is collected by the housing. After further cleaning, the cleaning agent, including the dirt particles, collects in the lower area of ​​the housing and can be disposed of at a later time.Through the same opening, after cleaning the bicycle chain, it is possible to add a lubricant, for example grease, to evenly lubricate the chain before the housing is disassembled into two halves again by opening the clamping bracket, in order to clean the housing halves on the one hand, but also to enable the housing to be removed from the bicycle chain.

[0018] The housing can be equipped with up to three-stage arrangement of cleaning brushes to enable intensive cleaning of the bicycle chain.

[0019] The particular advantage of the present invention is that the cleaning device can be used to optimally clean a bicycle chain of both large and fine dirt particles and, for example, degrease the chain. After all dirt particles and grease residues have been removed, the bicycle chain can then be regreased. Existing dirt particles and grease can be trapped within the housing, thus preventing environmental pollution. Furthermore, the cleaning device allows the operator to clean the bicycle chain without getting their hands dirty.The cleaning device allows for the use of a cleaning brush in a simple single-stage configuration, but also a multi-stage configuration with two or three cleaning stages, all of which are coupled to a sprocket, so that the movement of the chain through the housing causes all the cleaning brushes to rotate. Only through this rotating movement is it possible to optimally clean the bicycle chain, both in the lateral area and between the individual links.

[0020] The invention is explained again below with reference to the figures.

[0021] It shows Fig. 1 in a perspective view a cleaning device with a separate handle, Fig. 2 in a perspective view a further view of the cleaning device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a perspective view the cleaning device according to Fig. 1 with inserted handle and inserted bicycle chain, Fig. 4 in a perspective view the opened cleaning device, Fig. 5 in three side views and a perspective view again the assembled cleaning device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 6 in a perspective view a further embodiment of the cleaning device with a separate clamping bracket, Fig. 7 in a perspective view an open view of the cleaning device according to Fig. 6, Fig. 8 in a perspective exploration view the cleaning device according to Fig. 6, Fig. 9 in a perspective view the cleaning device according to Fig. 6 with inserted bicycle chain and Fig. 10 in several views the cleaning device according to Fig. 6.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective rear view of a cleaning device 1 for a drive chain, for example, a bicycle chain. The cleaning device has a housing 2, which has the external shape of a figure eight and consists of two housing halves 2a and 2b. The dividing line 3 between the two housing halves 2a, 2b runs along the largest housing dimension. The two housing halves 2a and 2b can be joined together via guide elements so that they lie flush against one another. The guide elements are, for example, made of Fig. 4. The two housing halves 2a, 2b are held together by means of a clamping bracket 4, wherein the clamping bracket 4 is held pivotably in a receptacle 5 in the lower housing half 2b and has corresponding dimensions to the two housing halves 2a, 2b, so that the upper part of the clamping bracket 4 encompasses the upper housing half 2a with a curvature 6. The clamping bracket 4 consists of two parallel and spaced-apart wire elements which are so stable that the two housing halves 2a, 2b are securely pressed together. At the upper end of the clamping bracket 4 there is a roller 7 which facilitates the movement of the clamping bracket 4 over the upper housing half 2a by rolling on the housing surface in order to ensure the necessary tension to hold the two housing halves 2a, 2b together.A trough-shaped opening 8 is arranged in the upper area between the two wires of the clamping bracket 4, which allows, for example, the addition of a cleaning agent or a means for greasing the chain. If a cleaning agent is added, this occurs up to a liquid level 9 so that the cleaning brushes can be wetted by the existing cleaning liquid. The two housing halves 2a, 2b also have an inlet opening 10 and an outlet opening 11 (not visible in this view) which allows the passage of a bicycle chain. To attach the cleaning device 1 to a bicycle chain, the clamping bracket 4 is removed from the housing 2 so that the two housing halves 2a, 2b can be pulled apart.After inserting the bicycle chain, the upper housing part 2a can be placed on the lower housing part 2b and then the clamping bracket 4 can be moved over the upper housing part 2a with the support of the roller 7 and the application of force, so that the two housing halves 2a and 2b are pressed together.

[0023] The cleaning device 1 is held by a handle 12, which, via a plate-shaped projection 13, is inserted into a corresponding recess in the housing 2. The insertion takes place before inserting the bicycle chain, so that after the two housing halves 2a, 2b are joined, the handle 12 is firmly connected to the housing 2. A locking lug 14 engages the handle 12 in an existing groove in the lower housing part 2b, ensuring a secure hold and firmly anchoring the handle 12 at the latest after the upper housing part 2a has been attached. The shape of the handle 12 also resembles an elongated figure-eight with an upper curve 15 and a lower curve 16.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a further perspective view of the cleaning device 1, this time from the front. The cleaning device 1 has the housing 2 with the two housing parts 2a and 2b, a clamping bracket 4 and an inlet opening 10 as well as an outlet opening 11 for the bicycle chain (not visible in this view). The two housing halves 2a, 2b are divided along the dividing line 3 and, after removing the clamping bracket 4, allow the two housing halves 2a, 2b to be pulled apart so that the bicycle chain can be inserted. After the two housing halves 2a, 2b have been reassembled, the clamping bracket 4 can be guided over the upper housing part 2 with the help of the roller 7 and tightened so that it is securely held. Before this tightening takes place, the handle 12 is inserted into a bead-shaped elevation 17 with an opening 18.The handle 12 engages with a locking lug 14 into an existing recess 19, so that on the one hand it is held in the lower housing half 2b and, after the upper housing half 2a has been put on, thus enables a firm connection with the housing part 2a.

[0025] The mode of operation is such that when the bicycle chain is inserted or the cleaning device 1 is attached to the bicycle chain, the bicycle chain is then manually guided through the housing 2 by moving the pedals without an external drive and can be cleaned by brushes that are not visible from this view.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows in a perspective view the cleaning device 1 again, in this case with inserted bicycle chain 20 and inserted handle 12 in the existing recess 18.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the opened cleaning device 1, with the upper housing half 2a lifted from the lower housing half 2b. After the clamping bracket 4 has been removed from the upper housing half, only a pivoting connection to the lower housing half 2b remains.

[0028] To better join the two housing parts 2a and 2b, the lower housing half 2b is equipped with upward-facing webs 21 in the rear area, which engage in corresponding recesses in the upper housing half 2a. In the area of ​​the inlet opening 10 and the outlet opening 11, in the illustrated embodiment, there is a chain sprocket 30 which meshes with the inserted bicycle chain and is moved when the bicycle chain is pulled through. The chain sprocket 30 is located on a shaft which carries another gear 31. Alternatively, it is also possible for the chain sprocket 30 and the gear 31 to be made in one piece and to be rotatably mounted in the lower housing half 2b via a shaft. The gear 31 meshes with two further gears 32, 33. Because the two gears 32, 33 are significantly larger than the gear 31, a reduction gear is thus achieved.The gears 32, 33 are mounted on a non-visible shaft and coupled to cleaning brushes 34, 35. The coupling is achieved by the cleaning brushes 34, 35 running synchronously with the gears 32, 33.

[0029] When the bicycle chain 20 is pulled through, the rotational movement is transmitted via the chain sprocket 30 and the gear 31 to the two larger gears 32, 33, thus setting the cleaning brushes 34, 35 in motion. The cleaning brushes 34, 35 are arranged in pairs on the common shaft, allowing the side areas of both sides of the bicycle chain to be cleaned, as well as the intermediate area. Alternatively, the gears 32, 33 can also be directly equipped with cleaning bristles.

[0030] The exemplary embodiment thus has two cleaning stages, which can be supplemented by additional cleaning stages if necessary. This supplementation could, for example, take the form of gears 32, 33 meshing with additional gears, which in turn are synchronously coupled to cleaning brushes.

[0031] The particular advantage of the cleaning device 1 is that it has a flat housing shape, which makes it possible to guide a bicycle chain through the housing 2. With the help of the bicycle chain, a chain sprocket 30 is simultaneously driven, which in turn is coupled to further sprockets 32, 33 in order to drive the cleaning brushes 34, 35. While the bicycle chain thus slides through the housing 2, the side area and the intermediate area of ​​the bicycle chain 20 are cleaned with the help of the cleaning brushes 34, 35. In the case of very heavy soiling, cleaning fluid can be supplied via the recess 8 in the upper housing half 2a. After cleaning has taken place, a greasing agent can also be supplied via the recess 8 in order to lubricate the bicycle chain.The particular advantage of the cleaning device 1 is that it prevents dirt from reaching the outside, i.e., the floor area. Likewise, the hands of the operator of the cleaning device 1 are not soiled, so that the entire cleaning process can be considered very clean. After the bicycle chain has been cleaned, the upper housing section 2a can be removed by loosening the clamp 4, and then the lower housing section 2b can also be removed from the chain. The cleaning fluid present in the lower housing section 2b can be poured out so that the cleaning device 1 can be set aside for further use.

[0032] Fig. 5 shows in three side views and a perspective view the cleaning device 1 in assembled form with the housing 2 or the two housing parts 2a and 2b, the handle 12 as well as the clamping bracket 4 and the inlet opening 10 and outlet opening 11 for the bicycle chain.

[0033] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning device 40 with a housing 41, which also consists of two housing halves 41a and 41b. The two housing halves 41a and 41b have a dividing line 42. The housing 41 has a nearly square design with two housing halves 41a, 41b, wherein the upper housing half 41a has a filling opening 43 for a cleaning agent or a lubricant. In the lateral end face 44 there is an opening 45, which is also present on the opposite side, for guiding a chain, in particular a bicycle chain, through. A clamping bracket 46 is U-shaped and encompasses the two housing halves 41a, 41b, as can be seen from Fig. 9. The clamping bracket 46 creates a compressive force that holds the two housing halves 41a, 41b together during the cleaning process. To ensure a secure hold of the clamping bracket 46, it is equipped with locking recesses 47 that engage the outer edges 48, 49 of the housing 41.

[0034] Fig. Figure 7 shows a perspective open view of the cleaning device 40 with an upper housing half 41a and a lower housing half 41b. The opening 45 is divided by the dividing line 42, so that the upper housing half 41a and the lower housing half 41b each have a part of the opening 45 in the form of a U-shaped recess. Located in the housing 41 is a sprocket 50, which is designed as a double gear and is connected on the one hand to the Fig. 9 and, on the other hand, has a spur gear toothing which meshes with at least one gear 51, 52. The two gears 51, 52 are each connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotational axis 53, 56 or shaft, wherein a cleaning brush 54, 55 is additionally located on the rotational axis 53, 56. The two gears 51, 52 are driven by the chain gear 50, so that when the gears 51, 52 rotate, the cleaning brushes 54, 55 are simultaneously set in rotation and, as the bicycle chain passes through, it is cleaned from both above and below. For this purpose, the gear 51 is arranged in a raised position above the bicycle chain and the gear 52 is arranged in a lower position below the bicycle chain.

[0035] Fig. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the cleaning device 40 with the gears 51, 52 removed, both of which are arranged on a rotational axis 53, 56. A cleaning brush 54, 55 is also located on the rotational axis 53, 56, allowing the bicycle chain to be cleaned from above, below, and from the sides. The rotational axes 53, 56 are locked in receptacles 57 in the housing 40 to enable a rotational movement as the bicycle chain passes over the chain sprocket 50. In this case, it is a smaller, compact cleaning device 40 with a two-stage cleaning process.

[0036] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the cleaning device 40 with a bicycle chain 58. The bicycle chain 58 is inserted into the opened housing 41 after the clamping bracket 46 has been removed and the two housing halves 41a and 41b have been separated from one another. After the bicycle chain 58 has been inserted, the two housing parts 41a and 41b are brought back together and the two housing halves 41a and 41b are locked using the clamping bracket 46. The clamping bracket 46 is also designed as a handle, specifically in such a way that the base 59 of the U-shaped clamping bracket 46 is arranged in a raised position relative to the housing 41 so that a palm of the hand can be guided behind the clamping bracket 46. The bicycle chain 58 can be moved through the cleaning device 40 in the usual way using the pedals, for example when the bicycle is hung up or the rear tire is not in contact with the ground.

[0037] Fig.10 shows the cleaning device 40 in an assembled form in a total of 6 views, namely two perspective views and four side views. List of reference symbols: 1 cleaning device 2 housings 2a Housing half 2b Housing half 3 dividing line 4 clamps 5 Recording 6 Curvature 7 roll 8 Opening 9 fluid levels 10 Entrance opening 11 Exit opening 12 handle 13 Molding 14 locking lug 15 upper curve 16 lower curve 17 Survey 18 recess 19 Recess 20 bicycle chain 21 jetty 30 sprocket 31 gear 32 gear 33 gear 34 Cleaning brush 35 Cleaning brush 40 Cleaning device 41 housings 41a Housing half 41b Housing half 42 dividing line 43 Filling opening 44 Frontal surface 45 Opening 46 clamps 47 Snap-in recess 48 outer edge 49 outer edge 50 sprocket 51 gear 52 gear 53 axis of rotation 54 Cleaning brush 55 Cleaning brush 56 axis of rotation 57 recording 58 bicycle chain 59 Base

Claims

[1] Cleaning device (1, 40) for a drive chain, in particular a bicycle chain (20, 58), comprising at least one housing (2, 41) with at least one cleaning brush (54, 55), wherein the at least one cleaning brush (54, 55) is coupled to a chain wheel (30, 50) which can be driven by a moving drive chain, wherein the chain gear (30) is coupled to another gear (31) on a shaft, wherein at least one cleaning brush (54, 55) is designed as a gear (51, 52) with a spur gear toothing, and wherein the chain sprocket (30, 50) has a double toothing, once for the bicycle chain (20, 58) and once for at least one coupled sprocket (32, 33, 51, 52). [2] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to claim 1, wherein the gear (31) is coupled to a further gear which is provided for driving at least one further cleaning brush. [3] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sprocket (30, 50) and at least one cleaning brush are arranged on a shaft. [4] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gears (31, 32, 33) have spur gear teeth. [5] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing (2, 41) has an inlet (10) and outlet opening (11) for the drive chain. [6] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the housing (2, 41) has a horizontal dividing line (3, 42). [7] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing (2, 41) consists of two housing halves (2a, 2b, 41a, 41b) which can be placed on a tensioned drive chain and connected to one another. [8] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing (2, 41) has a clamping bracket (4, 46) for connecting the two housing halves (2a, 2b, 41a, 41b). [9] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing (2, 41) has a recess for an insertable handle (12). [10] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing (2, 41) has an opening (8, 45) for supplying a cleaning agent and / or a lubricant. [11] Cleaning device (1, 40) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing (2, 41) has a two- or three-stage arrangement of the cleaning brushes (34, 35, 54, 55).

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